 How the U.S. Census Bureau Will Count People Experiencing Homelessness
"Everybody in our community really and truly counts."
Each decade, the U.S. Census Bureau follows special processes to count people without conventional housing arrangements.
In 2020, the Census Bureau will devote three days to counting people who are experiencing homelessness across the country, with checks in place to ensure that people aren’t counted more than once. These days follow months of outreach and coordination with local census offices, partners, shelter directors, service providers, and others:
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March 30, 2020: Counting people who are in shelters.
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March 31, 2020: Counting people at soup kitchens and mobile food vans.
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April 1, 2020: Counting people in non-sheltered, outdoor locations, such as tent encampments and on the streets.
The success of this outreach to count the homeless in Montana is critical. Census data helps inform decisions about billions of dollars in federal funding for services such as shelters and soup kitchens, as well as for programs that assist with housing, nutrition, and transitioning from homelessness. From the Emergency Shelter Grants Program to the WIC Program providing milk for infants and children up to the age of five,these programs depend on a complete and accurate count.
Help distribute this information across Montana with the flyer, HERE.
SHARED SUCCESS ON CENSUS PROMOTION IN MONTANA
State Complete Count Committee (CCC)
The Montana CCC has been actively working on getting customized Montana Census 2020 rack cards distributed across the state. So far over 240,000 have been sent out to businesses, state and local government agencies, libraries, non-profits, and local Complete Count Committees. If you would like to help promote the Census and can assist in distributing rack cards Contact Us to request the cards be sent to you at no cost!
U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau is still working on recruiting to fill temporary jobs across Montana. To easily apply text "montanajobs" to 313-131. To help spread the word about job opportunities share the video HERE on your social media channels, on your website, or in your other digital communication.
If you have already applied and would like more information, applicants are encouraged to call their local U.S. Census Bureau office at 855-562-2020 select option 3, and enter their zip code to speak with someone about the status of their application or visit the Career Site HERE.
Have Census success to share? Email Cassidy.blanton@mt.gov for a chance to be published in the next newsletter.
CENSUS OUTREACH IDEAS
Share 'Counting All Montanans' PSA
Montana’s second Census 2020 public service announcement is now airing on broadcast television and radio stations statewide.
“Counting All Montanans” is the second of four PSAs that will be released by the State Complete Count Committee. “Counting All Montanans” features a Montana high school student, college student, and construction worker as they explain why counting everyone in the Census is so important.
Two additional PSAs will be released between now and when the count begins in mid-March. All four spots are available in :30 second and :60 second radio and TV ads.
Distributed by the Montana Broadcasters Association, these public service announcements will also be available for individual download and distribution on CENSUS.MT.GOV, Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo. Individuals, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to download the videos and share them on their websites, social media platforms, newsletters, or other digital communication channels.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 10-13: MACO Winter Conference - Great Falls
February 13: Bi-weekly Census webinar
Please register at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2496874762699378699
March 12-20: Households will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail. Watch for the form HERE to be mailed to you or left with a packet on your front door.
March 30- April 1: The Census Bureau will count people who are experiencing homelessness over these three days.
April 1: Census Day!
Throughout April: Census takers will begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people.
May - July: Census takers will begin visiting homes that haven't responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted.
December 31: The Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law.
March 31, 2021: By this date, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.
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IN THE NEWS
Montana's Census Complete Count Committee Releases 'Counting All Montanans' TV, Radio PSA – Montana Department of Commerce Press Release
Census 2020: Take Action - United Federation of Teachers
Libraries and the 2020 Census - American Library Association
The Census is Coming - Are you Ready? – School of Thought
The Census Bureau is Looking for a Few (500,000) Good Temps - NPR
OPM Issues Guidance for Federal Employees Looking to Work for the Census - Government Executive
230 Years and Counting - U.S. Census Bureau
Sign Up to Become a "Be Counted" Site
With the Census count beginning in mid-March, there are ways you can assist in obtaining a complete count for Montana. Since the 2020 Census will be available online and by phone for the first time, one of the best ways to help is by signing up to become a “Be Counted” site.
To become a “Be Counted” location you will need to have:
- A building that the public and people with disabilities can access such as a business, organization headquarters, or community center where computers, tablets, or phones will be available for community members to use to fill out their form.
- Password protected WiFi.
- Your location will need to be available from mid-March until early May. Hours of operation will be determined by the site.
- The location does not need to be staffed, but if you choose to staff your site remember that only Census Bureau employees can assist people with filling out their form because they have taken a lifetime oath of confidentiality which is protected by law.
Click HERE to sign up to become a 2020 Be Counted location. We have an interactive map of "Be Counted" sites around the state, get your location added to the map and have promotional material mailed to you by signing up.
Sharing Montana 2020 Census material on your social media page is a great way to spread the word about the importance of the Census to our state. The State CCC has made social media graphics that you can share directly from our Facebook page or download from our website and distribute. A few examples are shown below.
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT 2020 CENSUS OPERATIONS AND ENUMERATION?
To be routed to your local U.S. Census Bureau office Call 855-562-2020 select option 3, and enter your zip code.
Reach Out to a Montana Census 2020 Partnership Specialist.
Chance Gillette
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Chance.j.gillette@2020census.gov
Phone: 406-850-0199
Jihan Khalaf
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Jihan.k.khalaf@2020census.gov
Phone: 406-439-3383
Colleen M. McCarthy
Montana Partnership Specialist U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Colleen.M.McCarthy@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 302-2226
Jeri Bucy
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: jeri.bucy@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 302-2227
Josh Manning
Media Specialist
Dallas Regional Census Office, US Census Bureau
Email: joshua.manning@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 422-6475
HAVE YOUR CENSUS EVENTS AND NEWS PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER
Do you have a Census event coming up? Have you been working on community outreach? Or have success you'd like to share? Contact us HERE for a chance to be published in the next newsletter and have your next event displayed on the 2020 Census Events Calendar at CENSUS.MT.GOV.
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